AFI KLM E&M and Sabena technics to set up joint component repair shop in Seletar, Singapore

Posted By : MRO Business Today

Jun 21, 2017: AFI KLM E&M, a major multi-product MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul) provider has signed a partnership agreement with Sabena technics, a French leading independent provider of maintenance (MRO) and modification solutions to set up a joint venture to support Airbus A320 and ATR component repairs in Singapore's new Seletar aviation cluster.

The 50/50 joint venture will begin operations in Sabena technics' Singapore component repair shop, which is already operational at Seletar. The shop will support the companies on their PBH agreements and it will provide Time & Material component repair services on Airbus A320 and ATR fleets to third party regional customers.

Setting up the joint venture in South East Asia will help both the companies to meet the growing demand for MRO services throughout the region. This local entity will help curtail costs and cut down TAT for client airlines, at the same time as it will permit them to benefit from the operational excellence of two market-leading MRO providers, eventually delivering a competitive solution to the requirements of Asian airlines.

Anne Brachet, executive vice president, AIR FRANCE KLM Engineering & Maintenance, said, "The creation of this joint venture with Sabena technics marks a new stage in AFI KLM E&M's development of a global MRO network that combines a strong industrial home base in Europe and a growing local presence for our clients. It will operate on a complementary basis and in harmony with the existing and future Group's service centers throughout the region and with our entire component support industrial footprint, comprising Barfield in the United States, Max MRO Services in India, AFI KLM E&M Components China in Shanghai, or AMES in Dubai. South East Asia is a fast-growing market for the MRO sector, and our aim is to satisfy our customers there with solutions that are ever closer, more efficient, and more responsive, at the same time as we meet the growing needs of all airlines operating in the region."

Rodolphe Marchais, Sabena technics' Chairman and CEO, commented, "Our Singapore shop is experiencing very rapid growth and is gradually broadening the spectrum of its repair capabilities to meet operator needs across the region. The alliance with AFI KLM E&M is a new step in the development of our presence in the heart of South East Asia and its extremely dynamic aviation sector. Adding state-of-the art technologies on the latest generation of aircraft will strengthen our position as a leading MRO in the region, with the highest levels of performance and quality."